William h



(No Model.)

W. KIRNAN. BLEGTRIGSIGNAL 350311733..-

No. 509,171. Patented Nov. 21, 1-893.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

\VILLIAM H. KIRNAN, OF BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE GAME- VVELLFIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC-SIGNAL RECEIVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 509,171, dated November21, 1893.

Application filed April 17, 1893. Serial No. 0, (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. KIRNAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Bayonne, county of Hudson, and State of New Jersey, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Electric-SignalReceivers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of re-' trolled or operated by amagnet energized by the impulses of current sent from the transmitter,and to also record the time of receiving each message upon the same oranother strip or tape, by means of a time printing device, consisting oftype-wheels which are turned at intervals by a clock mechanism to bringthe type indicating the correct time into printing position, and a timeprinter op- 2 5 erated by a magnet controlled by a circuitcontroller,whose operation is in turn controlled by the clock mechanism.

The object of my invention is to simplify the construction and operationof such apparatus by preventing the time printer from acting to printthe time except when a message has been recorded, as distinguished fromprinting it at the expiration of every interval of time at which thecircuit-controller in the 3 5 clock operates; and also to prevent thetime printer from operating to print the time for each of two or moremessages or signals which may be recorded during the same interval. Inother words, the time printer in my appa- 4o ratus prints the time, onlywhen a message has been recorded, and does not repeat the same time foreach of two or more messages arriving during the same interval, butgives only one time impression for both or all of 45 such messages. Iaccomplish this by providing a disabling device for the time printer,placed in its disabling position or condition by the operation of thetime indicating mechanism, but removed from such disabling po- 5o sitionso as to put the time printer into operative condition, by the operationof the sig rial-receiving mechanism. Th us when a message has beenreceived, the operation of the signal-receiving mechanism puts the timeprinter in condition to operate at the expiration of the pro-determinedinterval of time during which the signal is received, and at theexpiration of that time the operation which causes the printing of thetime to be performed restores the disabling device to its normalposition in which it renders the time printer inoperative, and itremains in that position until the reception of another signal affectsit. The time printer is thus caused to operate by the successive actionof, first the signal-receiving mechanism,and next the time mechanism,and requires both of these successive steps in order to perform theoperation of printing.

My invention is illustrated in the aocompa- 7o nying drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a diagram of the preferred arrangement of circuits andmechanism embodying myinvention; Fig. 2, a front view of the disablingdevice; Fig. 8, a diagram of a disabling device, constituting amodification of my invention; Fig. 4, a detail view of a part of thesame; and Fig. 5, a diagram showing another modified form in which thedisabling device is an electrical, instead of a 8c mechanical, one. 1

Referring first to Fig. 1, A is a message or signal box or transmitterof any ordinary type, and 1, 2 is the main circuit extending from suchtransmitter to the receiving station, at which is placed the relay Bcontrolling the local circuit 3, 4. In the circuit 3, 4,

I have shown the magnet O, which controls the operation of theregistering or message recording apparatus, which may be of any 0ordinary type and which I have not considered it necessary to illustrateany further. In the same local circuit 3, 4, I place an electro-magnetD, which responds to the operation of the relay B in the same manner as5 does the magnet O, or which, in other words,

is energized upon the reception ofa message or signal. These parts,namely, the relay, if such is employed, the registering magnet and themagnet D, together with such accessories I00 as may be employed inpractice for the complete and e'fiicient reception and indication of thesignals or m cssages, constitute the signalreoeiving mechanism.

E is a rotating circuit-controller, operated in the usual manner byclock mechanism, (not shown.) The spring a rests upon the insulatingpart Z) of the segment E until the segment is turned so that the springfalls upon the metal portion 0, whereby the circuit 5, 6, is closed.This operation, as will be well understood, is performed at pre-arrangedintervals, which may be of one minute or five minutes, or any otherlength desired. The circuit 5, 6, also includes a magnet F (see Fig. 2),whose pivoted armature K is adapted under certain circumstances, as willbe presently explained, to enter beneath the pivoted lever (Z and bypushing the same upward cause the closing of the circuit '7, 8, at c.This circuit 7,8 includes the magnet H, whose operation is to cause, bymoving the printing pad or otherwise, the impression of the timeprinting type-wheels to be made upon the paper. The magnet I in thecircuit 5, 6 represents the magnet or magnets which, in the ordinarymanner, control the position of the typewheels, such type-wheels beingturned by the operation of such magnet whenever the circuit is closed bythe clock circuit-controller, whereby the type-wheels, which, as will beunderstood, have on their faces type indicating successive times, aresuccessively placed in position to print the current time. These parts,that is to say, the clock circuitcontroller, the type-wheel magnet, themag net F, circuit-controller e operated thereby, and magnet H by whichthe printing is finally accomplished, constitute with their necessary orsuitable accessories, not illustrated, the time indicating mechanism. Itis to be understood, however, that in using these expressions hereafterin the specification and claims, I do not confine myself to any specialform of signal-receiving mechanism or of time indicating mechanism, butintend to include any devices of the same general character, employedfor accomplishing the same or substantially the same operations andresults.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the disabling devicewhich prevents the operation of the time printer is the pivoted lever(Z. This lever is pivoted on the posts fbehind the two magnets D and F,which are placed side by side, as indicated in Fig. 2. The lever (Zextends above these magnets, and projects in front of them, having atits outer end a tooth g. The magnet D is provided with a pivotedarmature h, which has attached to it an arm 2, which extends up into aposition to be engaged by the tooth g of the lever cZ when the armature7b is attracted toward the poles of the magnet D, as shown in Fig. 1.The magnet F has a similar armature 7a, which is provided with an arm Z,longer than the arm 11 and extending into proximity to the end of thelever (Z. The operation of these devices is as follows: Iormally boththe armatures 7L and 71':- are retracted away from the magnets D and Fby their springs, and the lever (Z rests with its tooth 1 upon the topof the arm Z. Thus the closing of the circuit 5, (S, by the clockcircuit controller, while it effects its operation of changing theposition of the time printing type-wheels, does not affect the timeprinting magnet itself, because although the magnet F is energized, thearm Z being against the end of the lever (Z is prevented from movingtoward the magnet F and, therefore, from raising the lever cZ so as toclose the circuit at 6. Thus so long as no message is received, no timeis printed upon the tape. Upon the reception of a signal or message,however, at the relay B, the circuit 8, a, which includes the magnet D,being closed at the relay, the armature 7L and arm 2' are instantlydrawn toward the magnet D, so that the upper end of the arm '5 is heldbehind the tooth g. This raises the lever (Z, not suiliciently to alfectthe circuit-controller 6, but so that the beveled end of the arm Z comesopposite the beveled surface of the tooth g, instead of being opposed tothe end of the lever, and the armlis thusin position when moved by themagnet F to raise the lever ti and close the circuit at c. This takesplace when the current interval of time has passed and the circuit isclosed by the clock cirouit-controller. The magnet F being thusenergized, draws the armature 7a and arm Z toward it to a sufficientextent to cause the circuit to be closed at 6, whereby the magnet II isenergized and the printing of the timeis accomplished. The same movementreleases the end of the arm i from its engagement with the tooth g, andthe arm i is retracted by the armature spring and moves forward so thatthe tooth 9 again falls in front of the arm Z and once more disables thetime printer from operation. If during the time that the arm z'isholding the lever (Z in its partly raised position to enable the timeprinter to be operated when the right moment arrives, other signals ormessages are received, these do not affect the operation of the timeprinter, since the parts remain exactly as they are until the circuit isclosed at the clock, and the time is then printed forall the messages orsignals which have come in during the preceding interval. It will beseen that the lever cZ thus constitutes a de vice which normallydisables the time printer from operation, but which is removed from itsdisabling position bythe operation of the signal-receiving mechanism,whereby such operation enables the time thereof to be recorded; and thatsuch disabling device is restored once more to its disabling position bythe operation of the time indicating mechanism and remains sountilanother ceived.

The arrangement shown in Figs. and 4 constitutes an apparatus of asimilar oharac signal is reter, but differing in certain details fromthat just described. The magnet D which forms part of thesignal-receiving mechanism is placed opposite the magnet F, which, asbefore, is in the circuitof theclock circuit-controller. The disablingdevice consistsin this case of the arm or lever 'm, pivoted at 0 betweenthe two magnets and carrying the double armature n. The lower spring 6'of the circuit-controller c has formed at its outer end a pair of lugs,between which is pivoted a pin 19 provided with a retracting spring (1and extending down into the path of movement of the lever m. Between thelugs is situated a stop 7, which prevents the movement of the pin 1) onits pivot in one direction, but allows it to rock in the oppositedirection.

In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 3, the disabling device is inits disabling position, because the impulses which may be communicatedto the magnet F by the closing of the circuit at the clock can have noeffect upon the circuit-controller e, the arm m being already againstthe magnet F. If, however, a signal or message is received and themagnet D is energized, the armature n is attracted and the lever m isdrawn toward the magnet D, moving the pin 19 and passing underit. Bythis operation, the signal-receiving mechanism has removed the disablingdevice from its disabling position and placed the time printer in aposition to operate. At the expiration of the current interval of time,the magnet F becomes energized by the clock cir cuit-controller, anddraws the armature n and arm on toward it. The pin p being stopped frombackward movement by the stop '1", the arm m in order to pass the pinraises the lower spring e of the circuit-controller and closes thecircuit to the time printing magnet at e, and causes the operation ofprinting the time to be performed. It will be seen that the re sult inthis case is the same as in that first described. The time is neverprinted except when the reception of a signal has put the time printerinto operative condition, and the reception of more than one signalduring the same interval of time does not cause the repetition of thetime printing operation.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, instead of mechanically disablingthe time printer, I make use of an electrical disabling device, in whichthe disabling is effected by the opening of the circuit, the circuitbeing closed and the time printer made operative by the operation of thesignal-receiving mechanism. The magnet D is in the signaling circuit,and the magnet F in the time circuit, as before. The magnet D isprovided with an armature lever 5, which carries at its end a pawl s,which engages with a toothed wheel K. The magnet F has an armature levert carrying a pawl t, which also engages with the toothed wheel K at oneend, and at its other end engages and controls the operation of thecircuit-controller e, which, as before, controls the circuit of the timeprinting magnet. Upon the same shaft as the toothed wheel K, is asmaller circuit-breaking wheel u, with whose toothed surface a spring 12makes and breaks circuit as the wheel revolves. This device is alsoincluded in the circuit 7, 8 of the time printing magnet, the circuitpassing through the spring 1) and wheel a to the shaft of the wheel, andthence by a wire to the circuitcontroller e.

In the position shown in Fig. 5, the circuit is closed at both points,the magnet F being energized by the clock circuit-controller, this beingthe position at the moment of operation of the time printer. Thiscircuit being immediately broken, however, the arm t falls back and thepawl t turns the wheel K the distance of half a tooth, which causes thepawl s to ride over a tooth of the wheel and fall upon the wheel behindthe tooth and in position to move the wheel when the magnet D isenergized. The same movement breaks the circuit at o by moving the toothof the wheel uaway from the spring 41. At this time, therefore, thedisabling device is in operation,preventing the operation of the timeprinter, because if the magnet F becomes energized, while it will closethe circuit at 6, it cannot move the toothed wheel K, and the circuit,therefore, will remain open at 1;, so that the time printer will not beoperated. The reception of a signal or message and the consequentenergizing of the magnet D, however, by moving the pawl 5', turns thewheel K sufficiently to again close the circuit at o. Thesignal-receiving mechanism having thus removed the disabling device fromits disabling position, the next time the magnet F is energized theclosing of the circuit at e thereby is made effective, and the timeprinter operates. At the same time, the pawl 26 is drawn back over thenext tooth behind it on the wheel K and is in position when retracted bythe armature spring to turn the wheel forward a half tooth, break thecircuit at o and once more disable the time printer.

What I claim is- 1. The combination of a signal-receivin g mechanism, atime recording device, a clock mechanism, arranged to operate said timerecording device so as to record the time at intervals, and a disablingdevice for said time-recording device removed from its disablingposition by the operation of the signal receiving mechanism,substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with signal-receiving mechanism and time indicatingmechanism, of a disabling device for the time indicating mechanism,removed from its disabling position by the operation of thesignal-receiving mechanism and restored to such position by theoperation of the time indicating mechanism, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with signal-receiving mechanism and time indicatingmechanism including a time printer, of a disabling device for the saidtime printer, removed from its disabling position by the operation ofthe signal receiving mechanism and restored thereto by the operation ofthe time indicating mechanism, substantially as set forth.

4t. The combination of a signal receiving circuit, a magnet therein, atime-recording device, a clock mechanism arranged to operate saidtime-recording device so as to record the time at intervals, and adisabling device for saidv time-recording device situated in proximityto said magnet so as to be moved thereby from its disabling position,substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of a magnet in the signaling circuit, a magnet in theclock-controlled circuit, and a disabling device for the time indicatingmechanism afiected alternately by said magnets and moved therebyrespectively out of and into its disabling position, substantially asset forth.

6. The combination with the clock-controlled circuit, of a magnettherein, a circuit containing a time printer, a circuit-controller forthe time printer circuit operated by the magnet in the clock-controlledcircuit, a dis abling device for said circuit-controller, and a magnetin the signaling circuit controlling the position of said disablingdevice, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with the clock-controlled circuit, of a magnettherein, a circuit including a time printer, a circuit-controller forsaid circuit, an armature for said magnet adapted to engage saidcircuit-controller to operate the same, a stop for said armature, and amagnet in the signaling circuit for moving said stop, substantially asset forth.

8. The combination with the circuit containing the time printer, and thecircuit-controller therein, of a pivoted lever for operating saidcircuit-controller, a magnet in the signaling circuit adapted to movesaid lever into operative position, and a magnet in the clock-controlledcircuit, adapted to move said lever to operate the circuit-controller,substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with signal-receiving mechanism, and time indicatingmechanism including a circuit containing a time printer, of a normallyinoperative circuit-controller in said time print-er circuit, meansoperated by the signaling mechanism for placing said circuit-controllerin operative condition, and means operated by the time indicatingmechanism for operating said circuit-controller, substantially as setforth.

10. The combination with the magnet in the signaling circuit, the magnetin the clockcontrolled circuit, the circuit-controller in the timeprinter circuit, and the lever for moving said circuit-controller, ofthe arm carried by the armature of the signaling circuit magnet formoving said lever into operative relation with the circuit-controller,and the arm moved by the time circuit magnet for moving said lever tooperate the circuit-controller, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination with the time-printer of a device for operating thesame, so as to print the same a signal receiving circuit, a magnettherein for moving said device into operative position, a time circuitcontaining a circuit controller operated at intervals by time mechanism,and a magnet in said time circuit for completing the operation,substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 13th day of April, 1893.

WILLIAM H. KIRNAN.

Witnesses:

EUGENE CONRAN, W. PELzER.

